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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials
The San Pedro Sun
Five-a-side Football Tournament: Week 5
The San Pedro Town Council 5-a-side Football Tournament is rolling into its sixth week of sporting action. Once again large crowds gathered at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex on Friday, June 9th and Sunday, June 11th to enjoy another set of games in the male, female, U-15, U-13 and U-10 divisions. Friday's first games featured the U-15 teams, with comfortable leads for the winners. The first set of games ended up with the following results: San Pedrito Strikers 2 vs Los Catrachitos 0, San Pedro Pirates 3 vs Caribe�a 1. Games continue this week, starting on Wednesday, June 14th at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex, starting at 7PM.
Belikin National 8-Ball Pool Tournament starts on Ambergris Caye
The National 8-Ball Pool Tournament officially started on Friday, June 9th at Cholos Beach Bar. Eight teams challenged each other to gain the points and lead in the first set of games. The matches started at 6PM, with a large number of fans showing support.
Jade Bar team and team Twinkle Little Star were the favourites of the evening, and they took the lead in the first week of the tournament. The games continue this weekend at Claudia's Pool Room, beginning at 7PM, on both Friday and Saturday.
Police Report
Drug Trafficking:
On Monday, June 12th, San Pedro Police conducted a patrol, where their attention was drawn to three male persons sitting on a fence by the seaside. Upon seeing the police vehicle, one of the male persons placed an item on the ground.
Kept Firearm without a license:
On Thursday, June 8th, the San Pedro Police conducted an Anti- Drug operation in the San Pedrito area, and searched the residence of George Cowo. The search resulted in the discovery of a .38 revolver
Found Property:
On Saturday June 10th, the San Pedro Police found a grey t-shirt containing a .38 revolver six shooter brand with black electrical tape around the handle, along with three .380 live rounds in the chamber within the Boca del Rio area.
Costa Maya Festival Presents: Miss Guatemala, Lesly Fernanda Flores Sagastume
The International Costa Maya Festival® committee is pleased to announce the second contestant vying for 2017 Reina del La Costa Maya title: Miss Guatemala Lesly Fernanda Flores Sagastume.
Lesly is 23 years of age, and stands at 5'2", with blonde hair and brown eyes. The psychology student is a sports enthusiast who enjoys football and general exercise. Her hobbies also include singing and reading. Interestingly, in September 2016, Lesly was the first participant of the "Miss Guatemala" pageant to be awarded the special title of "Miss Costa Maya Internacional", indicating that Miss Costa Maya Fesitival is gaining recognition in Central America.
Ambergris Today
Kidney Stone Laser Surgery Introduced In Belize
The Belize Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center in Belize City made history this week and a giant leap in medical services for the country. They announced the services of Belizean Dr. Victor Lizarraga Jr., Assistant Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine Houston Texas, USA. His expertise comes with a very sophisticated laser machine that basically shoots laser beams at kidney stones.
Dr. Victor Lizaraga, Urologist/Surgeon, treats problems with the kidneys, bladder and the urinary system in general with the new Holmium Laser Lithotripsy machine now installed at Dr. Irvin Gabourel's clinic in Belize City. It will allow true minimally invasive kidney stone surgery for the first time in the country.
BTB Wins Prestigious Award For Innovation & Creativity
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has won the prestigious Innovation & Creativity Award of the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) based in London, the United Kingdom for its Belize Virtual Expo, the first of its kind in Belize.
The award was granted to BTB for its Belize Virtual Expo, which will be held at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel on 29th - 30th June. The Virtual Expo aims to give local tourism service providers an opportunity to meet "virtually" with key representatives of the international travel trade.
Misc Belizean Sources
Splashers
In honor of lobster season opening next week lets paint a lobster
Ministry of Human Development's Youth Rise & Galen University Trains 54 in Suicide Prevention
Fifty-four persons from across the country have received training in Suicide Prevention through a partnership between the Youth Resilience and Inclusive Social Empowerment (RISE) Project, Galen University, and COBEC. The workshops were one of the first activities under the recently launched Youth Rise Project and took place in Cayo and Stann Creek between June 8th and 13th, 2017. Participants included persons who actively work with youths within community safety nets, such as counsellors from high schools in central and southern Belize and the University of Belize, counsellors and social workers from the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, the Department of Youth Services, and the Community Policing Unit, as well as professionals from the ITVET.
Xunantunich Ferry repairs complete
The public is informed that repairs to the Xunantunich Archaeological Site's Ferry have been completed and is now operating as normal.
Full Moon Concert in Orange Walk
A free rock concert will be held in Orange Walk on Saturday, 16 June at the Queen Elizabeth Park. The evening's concert will start at 7:00 PM and will feature the Surpassing Silence Rock Band.
LARGE vehicle in downtown San Pedro... trying to turn...
National Corn Coconut & BBQ
The biggest event of the year in Corozal. We invite every one from San Pedro, Orange Walk, Caye Caulker and the rest of the country to join and enjoy. We are down to the final stretch of the National Corn Festival July 14, 15 and 16, 2017..ON DAH BEACH.
Lazy Lizard Seafood and Music Festival
TWO DAYS OF GREAT LIVE MUSIC, FEATURING, MIAMI REGGAE ARTIST, JOHNNY DREAD HEADLINING WITH OVA-HIGH - GREAT SEAFOOD WITH LOADS OF LOBSTER. JULY 1ST AND 2ND AT THE SPLIT! DETAILS FORTHCOMING!
St. Matthew's New Building Inauguration
Today, the U.S. Embassy and the Government of #Belize, in coordination with U.S. Army South, held the second ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the Beyond the Horizon: 2017-Belize (BTH) collaborative humanitarian exercise. The ceremony, during which the BTH Task Force Commander officially handed over the keys to the St. Matthew's Government School's new building to the school's principal, took place at the St. Matthew's Government School.
The ceremony featured the following speakers: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Honorable Patrick Faber, Charg� d'Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy Ms. Adrienne Galanek, BTH Task Force Commander COL John Simma, Chief Education Officer for the Ministry of Education Dr. Carol Babb, St. Matthew's Village Chair Ms. Dennise Cedeno, Village Vice Chair Mr. Juan Martinez, and St. Matthew's Government School Principal Ms. Michelle Murray. Students from the school also participated with remarks, a poem, a song, and a Creole dance.
Do your part to help our rangers!
Ya'axch� rangers, with their exceptional passion for protecting nature, are continuously challenged with illegal incursions in remote corners of the 100,000-acre Bladen Nature Reserve. Our rangers are facing escalating illegal activities such as xat� palm harvesting, logging, hunting, gold panning and wildlife poaching in isolated areas of Bladen. Lack of resources has made it difficult to send the rangers into these distant places in order to prevent illegal activities. Do your part to help our rangers protect tropical forests in order to maintain the natural beauty of Belize by contributing to our online campaign!
Multi Hazards Belize App
The Multi Hazard App by the Belize Red Cross gives users important information about disasters and hazards localized to Belize. The App gives information on how to prepare (before), what to do during, and recovery (after). It comes with a disaster package that includes flashlight, alarm, and "I'm Safe" message to let family and friends know you are ok even if the power is out. It also includes fun tests and badges that you can share with friends on Social Media networks.
Official San Pedro Lobster Festival 2017 schedule
If you want to schedule your fun, it helps to know what is happening when :D here is the official San Pedro Lobster Festival 2017 schedule.
SBDC Workshop: BASICS OF LABOUR LAW
Presented by:
Mr. Ivan Williams (L.L.B,;C.L.E.)
Labour Commissioner. Workshop Date:
June 22nd, 2017,
9am to 12pm, LOCATION: BTEC Building (Innovation Room) ITVET Compound, Freetown Road, Belize City.
Includes - Refreshments only.
This session on Basics of Labour Law will cover various acts under Labour Legislation which includes:
Chapter 287- SHOPS ACT,
Chapter 297- LABOUR ACT (including Amendment #3 of 2011),
Chapter 298 - SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES IN ESSENTIAL SERVICES ACT,
Chapter 299 - TRADE DISPUTES (ARBITRATION AND INQUIRY) ACT,
Chapter 304 - TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS' ORGANIZATIONS, (REGISTRATION, RECOGNITION AND STATUS) ACT.
The Labour Department's mandate, among many others, is enforcement and compliance with these legislation's.
This will all be related to Belize's international obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Additionally, the session will provide an overview of as it relates to the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.
Environmental Day
Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society Field Station will be hosting its annual Environmental Day this coming Saturday, where we will have demonstrations and talks about our various projects and our organisation in general.
Hope to see some of you there.
Morena Son! at the San Pedro House of Culture!
Free Concert, Music by Cuban Band:
Ministry of Health and Beyond the Horizon 2017
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Beyond the Horizon project in Double Head Cabbage
National Parenting Task Force Hosts Workshop for Fathers
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation's (MHDSTPA) National Parenting Task Force, with the support of UNICEF, is embarking on a new project geared towards the involvement of fathers and children. In celebration of Father's Day, a two-day workshop (15th & 16th June 2017) will be held in Punta Gorda Town with fathers, the Roving Caregivers and other key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, who will participate in sessions focusing on the importance of the father's role in early childhood development and across the lifespan. This is the first workshop of its kind, with an aim to strengthen the model of integrated parenting and Early Childhood Development in the community.
The band members of Morena Son visited Mayor Daniel Guerrero
On their stay in San Pedro Town. They expressed their enthusiasm and exciting on visiting Belize, and especially San Pedro, and can not wait to share their music with the community.
International Day of Yoga
Free event! Come celebrate with us at one of the 5 locations. This Saturday . June 17, 2017
Double Head Cabbage has a new clinic!
Today, the U.S. Embassy and the Government of Belize, in coordination with U.S. Army South, held the fourth ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the Beyond the Horizon: 2017-Belize (BTH) collaborative humanitarian exercise. The ceremony, during which the U.S. Government officially handed over the keys to the new Double Head Cabbage Clinic to the Ministry of Health, took place in Double Head Cabbage.
The new 2100 square foot Double Head Cabbage Health Center is the largest building completed during the BTH exercise. This building replaces an existing structure that is no longer capable of meeting the community's healthcare needs. The new 11-room clinic includes a waiting room for almost 40 people, bathrooms equipped with hand railings for patients with special needs, a triage room, and three private consultation rooms, one of which has an additional private bathroom. The building also includes space for a pharmacy with a dispensing window, a storage room, and a lounge area for staff members.
Belize Zoo: Saving Wildlands for Wildlife update: Matching Donation Event
Two HABITAT HEROES ($1000 donors) in our Campaign have offered a special opportunity for other donors to enhance their contributions! These wonderful supporters have pledged to give another $1000, and even up to $5000, if their donation can be matched on CrowdRise! Please help us make the most of this amazing gift to save Wildlands for Wildlife! Every little bit counts:
Vaca Forest Reserve Cooperation
Representatives from Asociacion de Comunidades Forestales de Peten (ACOFOP) visited the Vaca Forest Reserve to identify potential areas of technical assistance for the community members that are active in the Vaca plateau.
Channel 7
ASP Chan Goes Before Senate, Denies Alvarine's Allegations
The Senate Hearings on Immigration continued today in Belmopan, and the most important witness was Assistant Superintendent of Police, Rochelle Chan. This is after Alvarine Burgess, the immigration agent turned whistleblower went before the Senate Select Committee 2 weeks ago and she named ASP Chan as the supposed immigration mastermind who she worked with.
According to Burgess, Chan recruited her as an agent to make contact with UDP Minister Edmond Castro. She claims they entered into an arrangement where Castro allegedly took bribes of $2,000 per recommendation for visas for Chinese Nationals.
She claims that Chan acted as her handler, giving her $2,000 for each visa application that was to be paid to Castro, $2,000 for the application fee to be paid to the government, and all the applications from the Chinese nationals. Edmond Castro has consistently maintained that Burgess is lying.
Former Minister Perdomo Re-Appears Before Senate
And while Chan was the main event, the undercard - so to speak - was Cabinet Secretary and former Immigration Minister Carlos Perdomo. He was called back for a second day to discuss his tenure as Minister. For over an hour, Business Senator Mark Lizarraga grilled him on weaknesses in the system, how they were exploited, and if he did anything to try to stop abuses within the Immigration Department.
Here is an excerpt of their back and forth:
Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator:
"Do you agree that you implicitly and it can be said implicitly tolerated wrong doing under your watch."
Carlos Perdomo - Former Minister of Immigration:
"I don't agree."
UDP Chairman August Says Hearings Going On Too Long
Quite unusually, Today's senate hearing short, and it was over by midday. But, if you hear it told by UDP Chairman Alberto August, this investigation needs to end now.
We've shown you how he and his Belizeans Against Courtenay group have consistently been showing up to the Senate Hearings recently. He has his own agenda against PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay, who wasn't present for today's proceedings.
When it was over, he didn't skip a beat when he complained to us that these hearings have been going on for far too long. Here's how he explained why:
At Radisson, Suitcase-Lugging Visitor Turns into Gun-Wielding Jacker
Police say that on Sunday, 26 year old Phillip Maclaren pulled up at the Radisson front desk like a bonafide guest wanting a room, but, in short order, he went from suitcase-lugging visitor to gun-wielding jacker.
According to reports, Maclaren and his partner entered the hotel with a wheeled kit bag, walked up to the front desk and asked the receptionist for a room for the night. That's when MacLaren allegedly pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the receptionist and demanded money while his accomplice hopped over the counter and began to search for cash.
A Man Of Many Meters
Santiago Padilla also appeared in court today and was charged with a quite outrageous allegation of theft. According to the particulars presented in court, between February and April of this year, Padilla allegedly stole 3,033 light meters from BEL, valued at $177,000 dollars. He allegedly broke the meters open and salvaged the valuable parts inside. No plea was taken and Padilla was denied bail because it has not yet been decided if the offence will be tried summarily or on indictment. Padilla was remanded into custody until July. Police have not reported on where this allegedly happened.
Cops Looking For Hoare's Shooter
Police are hopeful that they will find the man who shot 50 year old security guard John Hoare. Hoare was guarding slot machines in a yard on Police Street last Thursday when two men approached him, one of them shot him in the chest and snatched his 9 millimetre pistol. Fortunately he survived the attack. Police gave more on this case
ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern South Division:
"We are still looking for one individual who we have not been able to apprehend but that investigation continues, we're pretty almost sure exactly who our suspect is and we're hoping to get cooperating from the public but the good news is that Mr. Hoare is currently in a stable condition recovering and we're hoping he makes a full recovery so let's pray for the best for him and his family."
Cops Looking For Prints Match To Charge Alleged Credit Union Burglar
Independence Police have one man detained for the burglary of the Toledo Teachers Credit union in Bella Vista village - but they cannot charge him until they get finger print evidence that he was at the scene. Presently, police at the Intermediate Southern Formation are waiting to see if prints lifted at the scene match his. But, they have time - more than the usual 48 hours - because the cops will charge him for the theft of a motorbike in the village. They say they found parts for the cycle in his yard.
Yellowman Apologised
Brian Yellowman Audinett will keep his job as Mace-bearer in the House of Representatives. This is after the Staff committee of the House met on Friday to consider his actions in the Senate on Wednesday May 17th.
With 5 in favour, and two against, the Committee voted down the call for a dismissal, and called instead for a reprimand. The terms of that reprimand are that Yellow man had to call and apologize to media personnel he attacked: namely Marisol Amaya form KREM, and Circillo Choco from Plus TV. He had already called Dennis Ellis from Channel 7 to apologize.
Alleged Pedophile to Court
Abel Lara appeared in the Magistrate's Court today where he was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse. The victim and her mother reported to the Ladyville Police that Lara had sex with her in March of last year. No plea was taken because it is an indictable offense, and court could not offer him bail either. Lara was remanded into police custody until August.
Positive Vibez Keeping Punta Alive In The Clubs
After over a decade in the music scene, well-known artist Positive Vibez is releasing his 5th studio album, titled Punta Survives. The album was inspired after the artist saw a noticeable lack of Punta Rock being played in clubs and at parties. Positive Vibez gathered some of the country's most notable artists, such as Concego and Madness, to bring the tracks together. We spoke to him today at the Image Factor about the new album...
Shyne Made Peace With Positive Vibez
At today's CD launch, we noticed Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow. He's had a hard time winning over some artists and Vibes was one of them who's been critical of Shyne. Today, Shyne told us they've mended fences, and he wants no beef with any artist:
Shyne Barrow - Music Ambassador:
"What are we here for, are we here to hold grudges and to you know to be malicious or are here to develop the music industry and to help. So he reached out to me and I told him listen anything that you need, you reach out to me and I will help you and he followed through on that and we started going back and forth on Facebook messenger and with any artist I respond to every artist and he asked and I have what he asked for and the rest is history."
The Shyne Scholarship
And, as part of that image rehabilitation, Shyne Barrow has also agreed to sponsor a full music scholarship to the recently opened Saint John's College School of Music. Its only one scholarship per year, but it will earn a deserving musical a placement and an associate's degree. Shyne told us about the first recipient:
Shyne Barrow - Music Ambassador:
"This is a scholarship for those who need the financial assistance and have the talent so really it's a combination of the need for financial assistance and the enormous talent. The young man that is the recipient of the first Shyne Barrow full scholarship is Deron Flowers, he's actually from the alma mater Wesley College and the way the scholarship came about is I was talking to the president Ms. Peralta and she mentioned this young man who was so fantastic..."
Training Counselors For Suicide Prevention
Suicide: it's a very sensitive topic that no one really wants to talk about. What makes it more difficult to address, especially those who have lost loved ones to suicide, is that lingering thought that you could have done more. Well, it certainly isn't as easy as that and that's why the coordinators from the Youth Resilience and Inclusive Social Empowerment project known as (RISE), organized a workshop on suicide prevention. A group of 54 counselors, social workers and other youth leaders attended.
FFB Blasts Chuc, At Length
For the past 2 nights, we've been telling you about former FFB Vice President Sergio Chuc, who is being blocked from running for president.
He claims that his political opponent, Ruperto Vicente, unfairly accused him of bribery, which derailed his candidacy. He referred to the upcoming election as "rigged", and the FFB has released a statement saying that he is misrepresenting the facts - and they want a public trial by press release.
In a tedious 800-word disquisition, the FFB executive points out that Chuc has focused on one part of the letter from the Disciplinary Committee to make his case, while excluding the more important portions.
14 Lbs. Of Weed In A Room
San Pedro police busted about a pound of marijuana yesterday. It happened at dawn when island police raided a room at Coco Plum apartments Complex in the San Marcus area, San Pedro Town. They found 403 grams or 14 ounces of cannabis. Police arrested and charged 41 year old Joseph Enrique Martinez for Drug Trafficking.
And this morning at 8:30 am in Belize City, a joint Special Branch/ strike Team raided a residence at 72 Vernon Street where 2 men were seen stuffing a large quantity of cannabis in one of the apartment room. Police forced their way into the room and detained both persons. The cops found 42 tightly wrapped parcels containing 14 1/2 pounds of cannabis.
Southside's Respite From Gang Violence
Today we caught up both Southside and Northside police on their weekly meet and greet rounds. We start off with Southside. Now as you have surely noticed, there has been a significant decrease in gang related crimes on the Southside. It is a much needed reprieve from all the violence. ACP Chester Williams told us how grateful the Southside residents are for this break.
ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern South Division:
"We're in the Pen Road extension area and we have spoken to many residence in this part of the city and again the sentiment from them is a positive one in the sense that they are happy, they are satisfied with the work of the police in this area and they are also satisfied with the crime situation in their area."
Mediation Continues
And Williams says those gang interventions have a direct connection to this calm on the Southside. He told us more about this program and how it is helping at risk youth and gang members start a new life off the streets .
ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern South Division:
"The gang intervention programme is an ongoing thing, we continue to remain in dialogue with the different elements and again the objective there is to see how we can work with them to be able to put aside their personal differences. We have seek employment for some of them with CITCO, they are gainfully employed and making an honest pay for them to maintain themselves and their family and we want to see that continue."
Mentoring Program's Successes
Another successful police initiative that is helping Southside kids escape the gang life is the mentoring program. It will finish up in about 3 weeks and the police National Youth Coordinator Douglas Hyde told us more .
Douglas Hyde - National Youth Coordinator, Police:
"Our youth mentorship programme is actually in 5 months and one week exact and we have 3 more weeks of it to go, It finishes on June 30th so next couple weeks we will finish. The kids are very optimistic, we've some drastic change..."
Take A Walk On the Northside
Northside police also held their weekly meet and greet session. They were in the Belama Phase 4 area and the officer commanding precinct 4 Assistant Superintendent Francisco Ack told us the residents are quite content with peace in their area but it's not all picture perfect. Ack told us what residents on Apollo Street are asking for.
ASP Fransico Ack - Deputy OC, Precinct 4:
"At this moment we are doing meet and greet within phase 4 of the Belama jurisdiction and we are currently on Apollo Street, we are meeting with the members of the community asking about their concerns, if they have any but so far we receive positive remarks from them, they are happy with the work that the police is doing in their area and they feel safe because they see the presence of the police on a daily basis day and night."
Cops Calling Out Media
And if those meet and greet sessions were not enough to establish a strong police presence â�" in a few days, cops will be all over city streets celebrating police week. Williams outlined the agenda starting this Sunday the 18th and ending off with a well anticipated basketball match-up between the police and the media on Friday afternoon. ACP Williams says he and his police squad are ready to take us on!
Earthquake Felt In Belize, Slightly
If you felt a little shudder under your bed at around 1:30 2:00 this morning, it was the effect of a strong earthquake on the southwestern Mexico/Guatemala border.
The 6.9-magnitude quake damaged buildings in the Mexican state of Chiapas, and in Guatemala, one person was killed when a church collapsed.
An aftershock struck around 20 minutes later. There were widespread blackouts and landslides in Guatemala as a result.
Queen Square Land Issue Not Clear Cut
And, finally, tonight an update on that disputed parcel of land in the Queen Square division. Godwin Haylock form the UDP political office in the area told us that their offices got leases for the land which they apportioned for community memebrs. He said that contrary to what Irene Usher claims, no one - in Belize or living abroad - has been able to produce any title for the lands. He says the person who built there in June has also signed an affidavit accepting a lease. They have also helped her out to fill her lot with sand.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
